章 16: Zino City [3/3]
"Was she… meh, I'll ask later."
{Something's wrong master?} Asked Bonny.
"Oh no, I'm fine. I just thought that I saw something. What about you Bonny?" Asked Max while walking back to the other room.
{A bit tired.}
"I can bet you are. You did well in that battle. You do have become stronger."
{I suppose.}
"Hope you won't doubt yourself from now on."
{Not until I lose again at least.}
While passing the door, Max gave Bonny a displeased glare.
{I'm kidding master.}
"Grha, Scarlet has really stained you good."
"Hope you had a good match." Said the lady on behind the counter.
"I did, thanks. It has ended with my victory."
"Congratulation."
"Thanks." Said Max again.
"Have a good day."
Max and Bonny then exited the building.
"I guess a little stop at the pokemon center could be good."
{Yup, I won't mind a little energy refresh.}
"I'm sure you do."
Max withdrew his pokedex to look where the pokemon center could be.
"Oh, again the buildings are conveniently placed. There is one pokemon center not far from here, roughly twenty minutes of walking from here.
{It's pretty smart.}
"Indeed. Let's go then."
{Yup.}
Max and Bonny then headed toward the pokemon center to heal his team, which they arrived after ten minutes.
"Okay Bonny, time to get in your pokeball so you can get healed. I'll let you out as soon as it's done."
{No problem master.} She said with a slightly tired tone.
Putting her back in her pokeball, Max entered the building and goes toward the counter where a nurse was working on a desk computer.
"Hi sir, what can I do for you?" She politely asked when she noticed him.
"Hi, I'm here to heal my team."
"Of course sir. It should take just a few seconds."
After nodding, Max handed his team capsules to the nurse. After she put them on the energizer machine behind her, a gentle yellow lightning bolt passed through them. Like she said, after a few seconds, she brought it back to Max.
"Here you go sir, your team should be in top shape now."
"Thanks."
"Your welcome. Continue to take care of your pokemon."
"Will do."
After they both nodded, Max exited the building before letting out his team again.
{That's more like it.} Said Bonny, a lot more energized than before.
{So master, did we win?} Asked Dusk.
"Yes Dusk, we did it. All thanks to all of you."
{Look like training did pay off.} Said Bonny.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean that we must cut loose on the training. Stronger opponents will be coming."
{Even though I beat two of them by myself, you're right.} Said Bonny, getting a bit cocky.
{Wait!? You beat two of them?} Said May, a bit surprised.
{Yeah, why?}
{I didn't beat any. So that means Dusk beat the other one?}
{Pretty much.}
"Bonny." Said Max, knowing where May was going with that.
{That's not fair.} Said May, getting upset.
"May…"
{I'm the only one that didn't beat any. Talk about a useless pokemon.} She angrily said while crossing her arms.
"Stop it right now May." Said Max a bit roughly, but not too much to not sound too authoritarian.
May stayed silent while looking away, a bit mad.
"No one in my team is worthless okay, I already told you." Said Max while kneeled toward May.
{I lost when even Dusk against one.}
"No need to get over Dusk or the others for that okay. It happens May, everyone can lose from time to time. You have seen how Bonny had reacted to her defeat. You're not the only one."
Again, May stayed silent.
{Master is right May. And you did make difference. If you didn't weaken that manectric, I probably wouldn't have beaten her.}
"That manectric was a female?" Asked Max.
{Hummm, yes. What? You didn't notice?}
"Not really."
{'sigh' Humans are not good observers. Good thing for you that me and Scarlet are females, otherwise you could have ended up with a nasty surprise.}
"Yeah, thanks for that very nice image."
{You're welcome.}
"But gardevoir are only female so, I was pretty safe with her."
{Lucky you. But who knows, maybe there are some male gardevoir out there somewhere.}
"Hope not. That will be strange to see male gardevoir, with their physique and all."
{Eh, if it was the case, I'm sure even male pokemon could mistake them for female. They would be the ones to have the nasty surprise.}
"Okay, enough with pokemon dicks."
Bonny then chuckled a bit, which seem to ease May's anger.
{I have to say May, I only won because I had a type advantage against that pokemon.} Explained Dusk.
May then sighed, understanding that they were right and it was no use to be upset for something that trivial.
{No Dusk, you also won because you got stronger. I'm sorry master, I shouldn't have reacted like this.} She said while turning toward her master with a guilty expression.
"That's okay's May. No one likes to lose, so I can understand." He said while petting her head.
{W-well… as long I don't lose you… I-I lost nothing.} Said May, embarrassed at saying those very honest and warm words while hugging his leg.
Max was a bit surprised by her boldness and her optimism fueled by his own person.
"That's… a very sweet and good way of thinking May." He said while petting that place she really likes, which made her glee in happiness, bringing a smile to the others.
"Okay girls, do you want to do something special before leaving?"
The team then thought for a bit.
[What about going to that mall to look for supplies?] Said Scarlet's voice inside Max's head.
"That's right, almost forgot."
Max's pokemon then looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"What about a little excursion in the mall."
{I go wherever you go, master.} Said Bonny.
"Come on Bonny, have some free will." Said Max, teasing her a bit.
"You can decide on whatever you want to do. You're not my slave."
{Hmmm… okay master. My free will tells me that I want to be always with you and go wherever you want.} She said with a semi-arrogant smile.
Max then sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I get it. The mall it is then."
{Yaay.} Said Bonny.
"Do you want to follow me or go back to your pokeball girls? The place is pretty big and will probably be filled with others humans."
{I'm a big girl master. If I ever get lost, all I'll have to do is track your scent.} Said Bonny.
{Me too master.} Added Dusk.
"I knew it was easy for Dusk, but I didn't know that lopunny also had good smelling sense."
{There is a lot for you to learn about a lopunny's anatomy. I could gladly teach you everything you need to know.} She seductively said.
"I don't even doubt you my cutesy bunny."
Bonny wasn't sure that she like the little nickname, but since it was her beloved master, she didn't mind that much.
{What about me master? I can't track a scent.} Commented May.
"Then you, my little May will have the privilege to be close to me all the time."
{Yaay!} Happily exclaimed May while raising her arms so that Max can grab her.
(Me and my big mouth.) Thought Bonny, a bit jealous of May.
Taking May in his arms, Max then headed back to the subway station they used to come for the gym to get back to the mall they saw when they arrived. After they entered the station, they waited a few minutes for the subway to come. When it arrived, Max and his team got inside and waited until it took them to their destination. A little while later, they finally reached it, left the subway station, and headed toward the huge poke mart.
{Wow, it's big.} Said May when they arrived in front of it.
{Now I understand why you were worried master.} Said Dusk, also impressed.
"If we stay close to each other, nothing wrong should happen." Said Max while putting May on the top of his packsack behind his head.
Max and his team then entered the building. Since it was made to be more about the height than width, Max saw maybe five shop entrances on his right and left with an elevator and stairs at the bottom with many peoples roaming through the place.
"Okay… where should we start?"
{There is a plan here master.} Said Bonny that was in front of a big panel a bit further.
"Good job Bonny."
Getting in front of it himself, Max eyed the plan with the shops' description.
"There are ten floors of shops in total." He said.
"Ah, a trainer camping shops on the fourth floor."
{Just to warn you, master, I'll take the stairs.} Said Bonny.
"Sure thing."
Max then goes to the bottom of the building and goes to the fourth floor by stairs. Max then goes to the camping shop badly named 'Trainer Star'.
"Wow! It's a quite huge and chic shop." Said Max when entering it.
All across the shop, there were good-looking materials for the perfect little trainer camper.
{I'm sure they have everything we could need here.} Commented Bonny.
"Let's go for a tour and find out."
Bonny then followed Max through the shop alleys. The first one contains things like a small gas heater or non-pokemon bug repellant.
{Do you think we need one of those masters?} Asked May.
"I don't think so. Dusk can take care of the small insects with her flames. She's also a heater herself." Said Max while petting Dusk's head, making her smile.
{And so does Scarlet.} Added Bonny.
"True."
The next department was for tents.
"Damn, there is a lot of variety here." Said Max while eyeing the shelves that were all filled with different tents.
After he checked some of them, he stopped in front of one.
"This one looks big. And cost 900$."
{I don't think we need a big one like this.} Said, Bonny.
"Yeah, this one could contain an onix."
{What about this one?} Said Dusk that was in front of another one.
"Let's see… 350$? It's a bit better."
Max checked the tent packing to check how many persons it can fit.
"Up to eight people. Hmm, interesting. I think I'll take it."
While turning around to continue their shopping, Max didn't know that Bonny was gone when she arrived from nowhere with a shopping cart.
{Will you need this?} Asked Bonny.
"Yes. Thanks, Bonny."
After petting her head, Max put the tent box in the cart before moving on. The next department had also a few nice things like an inflatable pillow.
"That should be handy. With Scarlet… eight should be enough, just in case. They are just 25$ each anyway." He said while putting them in his cart.
{Don't know if we will even use it since we use you as a pillow.} Said Bonny.
"Just in case."
Max then saw on a further racking some adventuring packsack.
"Damn! This one is way bigger than mine." He said when one of them caught his attention.
"Since it can hold more stuff, it has even belts for chest support so your back won't take all the weight. 140$ is a bit expensive but I'm sure it's worth it." He said while putting the packsack as well.
Continuing his tour with his pokemon, Max bought a bunch of other useful things like spare clothes, a bigger water canister, a few inflatable mattresses, just in case, and a few sheets for the colder night. When he had pretty much everything he needed, he headed toward the counter to pay.
"That will a total of 890$ sir." Said the girl cashier.
"Here we go." Said Max after handed her the money.
"Thank you, sir. Have a good day."
"You too. But I must ask, do you take old stuffs? I probably won't need my old packsack and tent anymore."
"Sorry sir, but the law prevents us from taking items from customers."
"Oh, okay. Thanks anyway."
Luckily for him, someone who was also shopping for camping equipment heard him.
"Excuse me, but if you sell it at a low price, I won't mind taking it." Said a girl coming toward him.
"Sure. 100$ will it be alright? The tent was barely used."
"That's indeed a better price. I'll take them."
"Deal. I'll just transfer my things and it's all yours."
Under the look of a pretty displeased cashier, Max took all of the stuff from his now old stuff and put it in his new one.
"Here you go." He said while handing to her everything he didn't need anymore.
"Thanks. I was quite low on my budget. You really help me out."
"No problem."
After he waved goodbye at the leaving girl, Max then put also all of his new bought stuff in his new packsack. When everything was set and ready, Max put the newly filled sack on his back.
"Shit. It's heavier than my last one. Good things it has those belts."
Max then attached the chest belts and put back May on the top of it behind his head again. With her on it, the weight was pretty much Max's limit, happy that he didn't buy anything else. After exiting the building, Max was thinking that he had everything he needed when he passed in front of a luxuriant-looking pokemon shop.
"The MegaShop?" Read Max.
"What do you say, girls? Care to see what it's there?" Asked Max.
{Sure thing.} Said Bonny.
Max and his team then go inside the shop. The first thing that caught Max's eye was a glass stand at the bottom of the shop. Getting closer, Max was astonished by what they were selling.
"Are these…"
"Mega stones? Yes sir." Said the male cashier behind the stand.
"Woah." Exclaimed while starring at them.
"Unfortunately we don't have a lot of them."
The stand was indeed not very full, with only twelve of them.
{What are these masters?} Asked May.
"These are mega stones May. It allows pokemon to temporarily evolve in a stronger form.
{Ooooh.} Exclaimed May, impressed.
Eyeing them, Max noticed two in particular.
"Are these a lopunnite and gardevoirite?"
"Of course."
"How much does it cost?"
"Each mega stone is worth 5000."
"Holy…"
Max then goes for his budget and counted.
"Damn. I only have enough to buy one. And I think that I also need a keystone."
"Yes. But fortunately for you, they are a lot less expensive at only 1000$"
"Shit. It stills a pretty a huge amount of money. But I still have enough for it too. But which one should I buy?"
(Scarlet? Can I ask you something?) Thought Max, wanting to join Scarlet.
Max then waited a moment, fainting thinking which one he wanted to choose.
(Scarlet?)
Strangely to him, Scarlet wasn't responding.
(Hope nothing bad is happening to her)
"Did you make your choice sir?"
"Not yet. Hmm, is there something here that can prevent psychic pokemon to use their power?" Asked Max.
"Why yes sir. The building is filled with anti-psychic thievery system preventing psychic pokemon to steal anything in the mall."
(That's why I can't talk to Scarlet.)
"Why do you ask? Do you have any psychic pokemon with you?" said the man, looking suspiciously at him.
"Not really." Lied Max.
"I just had already heard about psychic pokemon stealing from some shop with their power.
"It does happen. So that's why the mall spent a huge amount of money to protect their shops."
"I understand."
"And what about the mega stones? Still want to buy one?"
"Sure."
Max didn't have noticed but Bonny was staring at the mega stone that she recognized as the lopunnite.
"… I'll go with the lopunnite." Said Max, knowing that Bonny won't pass an opportunity to get stronger.
{Are you sure master? I mean, Scarlet probably would have wanted hers too.}
"Don't worry Bonny. Scarlet is already very strong. And I know that you really want it."
{Not… especially.} Lied bonny, trying to feign that she didn't care, but failed.
"Sure Bonny, you're just almost drooling."
{What?} She said while trying to whip the nonexistent drooling.
"Just kidding." He said petting her head.
"So the lopunnite it is then. And with a key stone?"
"Of course."
"Alright. Do you want any pokemon ornament in the shop to place your mega stone on?"
"Why not."
"Great. Just look around while I'm preparing your stones."
"Okay."
Max then left the counter and goes for a small tour of the shop for something that Bonny could wear with her mega stone. Various choices were presented to him. Bracelets, necklaces, belts, etc.
"What about that Bonny." Said Max while showing her a small blue scarf specially designed to hold a mega stone.
{That's awesome! But I prefer the red one.}
"This one?" He said while picking the red one instead.
{Yes. I will look cool with that.}
"Let's take it then."
{Will I be able someday to 'mega' evolve to master?} Asked May.
"Yes May. But I first need to get my hand the one that makes you. Maybe I should take one for you and Scarlet for when I got your mega stone." Said Max while eyeing the ornaments.
{I wonder how I would look like.}
"I saw it and it's pretty cool."
{Really?}
"Yeah. You were bigger and with two giant Maws."
{Woaah. Can't wait to mega evolve.}
"How about that?" Said Max while showing her very pretty hair scrunchies.
{It's perfect!} Exclaimed May, loving it.
"Good. And it's not very expensive."
Max then looked for what Scarlet could like. He then came across two choices. Either a black leather choker that he finds really cool or a more feminine thing like a necklace, which could fit pretty well on her. Max wasn't into girly things and could almost bet that Scarlet neither. Unfortunately, he still didn't know her that much but had a feeling that she would prefer the choker, but it could be just his own desire.
{A problem master?} Asked Bonny.
"I don't know what Scarlet would like most between those two." Said Max while showing her his dilemma.
{Hmm, I wish I could help you, but I don't know her that much.}
Max thought for a moment.
{Why not buy both of them and ask her later since you can't right now.}
"… I guess. The choker is okay but the necklace isn't cheap. But I still can buy both of them."
"Here you go, sir." Said the man behind the counter with his mega stone and bracelet that had a key stone on it.
Finally deciding to take both of them, Max walks back to the counter with four new items.
"Thanks. I'll also take those." He said before putting everything on the counter.
"Okay. That will do a total of 6110$"
Max then handed him almost the rest of his money, leaving him with almost nothing now.
"Thank you. Do you know how mega evolution works?"
"Yes. You need to be in sync with your pokemon and very close to them."
"True. But did you also know that the mega evolution power depends on your own power?"
"Hmm, not really."
"Then I'll gladly explain it to you. As I said, mega evolution depends on the power of the owner, which means, the stronger the trainer is, the stronger the pokemon and the mega evolution will be. Also, energy and resilience are shared between the pokemon and the trainer, which means that the tougher the trainer is to hit and pain, the tougher and enduring your pokemon will be. If your body can't take the pressure, the mega evolution will immediately end."
"Oh, so that means that I also have to strengthen my body for the mega evolution to work efficiently?"
"Precisely."
"Oh, really good to know."
"I wish you good luck with your mega evolution then."
"Thanks."
"Have a good day."
After nodding, Max exited the shop with the others.
"It was a bit expensive and now we are almost broke, but it was worth it." Said Max after putting the key stone bracelet on his wrist that didn't have the Ergowatch.
Max then put the mega stone on the red scarf before kneeling to Bonny.
"It was worth seeing my little Bonny happy." He continued while attaching the scarf around her neck.
After it was attached, Max wanted to stand up but was stopped by Bonny who had put her hands on his cheeks.
{… Thanks, master.} She said with very pleased and intense eyes.
"N-no problem." He nervously said.
Quickly looking around, Bonny saw that no one was looking and goes a quick passionate kiss to her master.
"B-Bonny, not here."
{No one was looking master and I couldn't just walk without a proper thank you.}
"We still have nights for that," Lowly said Max so that the other couldn't hear.
{Oh I will. You can bet anything you want on that.} She said with a lustful and almost predatory face before releasing his cheeks.
"Can't wait." He said before standing up.
"I think we're done here. Time to leave and go for the next gym battle."
While leaving the building, Bonny was staring at her new acquisition while Max was looking in his pokedex for the next destination.
{Master? Why did Bonny kiss you like Scarlet does?} Asked May.
"Oh, hem, it's just an affection display. Sometimes, when you really like someone, something like that is common."
{Will I ever have a kiss like that?}
Too busy with her cool-looking scarf and mega stone, Bonny wasn't really with them mentally, making Max looking at Dusk instead for a little help.
{D-don't look at me master, I don't know either what to answer.} She shyly and embarrassedly said.
"Well… you know May… It's a bit reserved to someone you really love."
{I do master.}
"Well… like really really."
{But I do master.}
"Hmmm, how about we talk about that a bit later."
{… Okay.} Said Mat, a bit upset.
After a few minutes, the gang was outside the mall.
"Okay. The next destination is RedfieldTown, a pretty rural town. Cool."
[Master, you there?] Said scarlet voice.
"Oh Scarlet, glad to hear you again."
[I've been trying to talk to you for a moment now. I was starting to get worried.]
"Yeah, that mall had some anti psychic type security system to prevent some 'stealing'."
[What kind of pokemon will lower themselves to do such things as stealing?] Mocked Scarlet.
"I don't know, some bad girls maybe."
[Wait until I'm with you and I'll show what a bad girl can do.]
"Stop scaring me like that Scarlet, it's bad for my health." Also mocked Max.
[Oh, it's on.]
"Damnit. Well, we're about to the leave the city so, you'll be able to join us soon."
[Great.]
"And I also some surprises."
[Really?]
"Yeah. I'm sure you'll like it."
[Can't wait then.]
"Yup. Come on girls, let's leave this place."
{Master?} Asked Dusk.
"Yes Dusk?"
{Can I go back to my pokeball? I'm feeling really tired all of a sudden.}
"Of course. But do you feel pain anywhere?"
{No, just really tired.}
"Okay. Take a good rest then."
After putting Dusk to her pokeball, Max headed toward the subway station again since the exit for his next destination was at the other end of the city. Traveling in the subway for maybe ten minutes before leaving the station when arrived at their destination, Max, May, and Bonny walked for a few minutes until they reached the edge of the city. There was a road for vehicles and one for pedestrians passing through the woods, going at the same place but with a distance between them. As soon as Max and his team passed the gate that was leading outside the city, Scarlet teleported back to them.
{Hi everyone.}
"Welcome back beauty." Said Max.
[Don't try to redeem yourself. Bad girls don't forgive.] Said Scarlet with a wink.
"I know that. Here's one of the surprises."
{I have a mega stone now, which means that I can mega evolve now.} Proudly said Bonny while showing her scarf to Scarlet.
{Oh, that's good news.}
Oddly, Max wasn't expecting big jealousy from her, but maybe at least a little. But no, not even a tiny bitsy bit of it, just slight happiness and proudness feeling.
{Again, you got stronger for master huh?} She said.
{Indeed. With that, nothing will even touch a single hair of him.} Said Bonny with determination.
{Glad to see we're on the same page.}
"And the other surprises are those." Said Max while turning around, showing his newly acquired packsack.
"A bigger bag and bigger tent like we wanted, plus some new useful things. Sleeping in the woods will be almost as comfortable as home now."
[That's really great. And in the nature, we can scream as loud as we want.] She said perverted eyes.
"Yeah, but we still can disturb some pokemon."
[They don't mind.]
"I also bought you those. I didn't know which one you would like so I took both of them." Said Max while showing her the choker and the necklace.
[Are they… ornaments that can hold a mega stone?]
"Yes. Which one do you want?"
[It's really nice of you master for thinking about me.]
With her master innocently shrouding his shoulders, Scarlet then eyed the two options she had a short moment before choosing the black choker.
[I'll take it since it's the one you like the most. And before you start saying things about what I want, I also prefer that choker than that girly thing that is that necklace.]
"Eh, my instinct was just fine then."
As Max was about to put it away, Scarlet interrupted him.
[You don't give it to me?]
"Hmm… well, since you don't have your mega stone yet…"
[Why should it prevent me from wearing it?]
"… For no reason I guess."
Scarlet then turned around so Max could attach it to her neck. Going behind her, Max then strapped the choker from behind before she turned around again and gently touched it.
[Thanks, master. Does it look good on me?]
"It does, even if you look meaner with that."
[Then it's perfect.]
"I suppose." Said Max while chuckling a bit.
{What about me master? Can I also wear the thing you bought me?} Asked May.
"Sure thing May if it's your desire."
Putting her on the ground, Max then put on her the scrunchies at the base of her maw that was attached to her head.
"Good thing that it's tensile, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to pass it through your big maw." Said Max after he put on the scrunchies.
{Do I also look good?} Said May while making a spin on herself.
"Like a little princess." Said Max while petting her head.
[So, where to next?]
"RedfieldTown. A few days of walk from here." Said Max after standing up and put back May behind his head.
[Okay.]
{I think it's time for me to have a little rest. I walked enough for the rest of the week.} Said Bonny while stretching her arms.
"I was wandering how long my lazy lopunny could endure the ordeal of walking."
{Too much actually.}
"Hehe, you too have a good rest. Thanks for the day." He said while returning her to her pokeball.
"What about you May?"
{I'm fine here.}
"Okay. Ready to move on Scarlet?"
[Always are master.]
"Then let's go."
Now more ready than ever for a journey, Max, Scarlet, and May began to walk toward the next gym leader at RedfieldTown.
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